E-ELT PREP

Preparing for the construction of the European Extremely Large Telescope

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'In the last 5 years the Science Case for a European Extremely Large Telescope, has been established by the European astronomical community. In 2010 the E-ELT Project shall be ready for decision to build, with in particular a detailed scientific Design Reference Mission, a secured site, reliable expected performance, cost and timeline, analysis of the project risks and associated mitigation plans and a confirmed funding scheme. There are a number of transnational activities which are suited for this Preparatory phase. Besides “E-ELT Prep Management”, there are: International Cooperation aim is to find external partners for the E-ELT development. Industrial Links will strengthen the links with the industrial partners and establish policies on connected issues, e.g. development standards, public relation and knowledge transfer. Design Reference Mission objective is to develop a comprehensive set of observing proposals, in particular to maintain the alignment of the E-ELT Project with its community scientific aspirations and explore its synergies with other large astronomical facilities. Science Access Strategy will define the strategy and requirements for the Telescope Operation and for data access by its Users in order to maximize the Facility scientific impact. Networks of Nodes of Expertise activity will help the European Institutes with prime expertise in the technologies crucial to the upgrade path to coordinate their work and co-opt newly formed groups inside and outside ESO member states. Financial Mechanisms objective is to explore external public and private funding possibilities. Project Structure and Planning is focused on the preparation of the organization of the E-ELT Project structure. Upgrade Path will pursue by design and prototyping the development of the advanced Instrumentation and Adaptive Optics subsystems required to further enhance the E-ELT Facility scientific reach 5 to10 years after start of operation'

Introduzione (Teaser)

An EU-funded project has made preparations for the construction of the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT). The work has resulted in a comprehensive science case and the development of crucial enabling technologies.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Astronomical discoveries have a special way of sparking the public's innate curiosity about the Universe. Facilities like the E-ELT are therefore not only important for science, but also for the public's understanding and appreciation of science.

The ?Preparing for the construction of the European extremely large telescope? (E-ELT PREP) project assisted the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in giving the go-ahead to build the E-ELT. The preparations made by this initiative were crucial in ensuring that the facility would be for the community, by the community.

In line with the project's emphasis on establishing coordination with similar projects around the world, the E-ELT PREP team also focused activities on creating networks of ESO astronomers and engineers. In addition, they looked at how to optimise the science output of the telescope, which depends largely on instrumentation. As such, eight innovative instrument concepts were studied as part of the E-ELT design. New technologies that would enable the telescope to better detect, for example, Earth-like exo-planets or the first lights in the early Universe, were also investigated. Some of these technologies are even being applied in other fields like biological microscopy.

Another focus of the project was to encourage as much involvement as possible from high-tech European industries. This will obviously benefit the E-ELT, as well as help raise the bar when it comes to competiveness.